Heartache as Nicky Farrugia is pulled from Channel swim

Carmel Pule'

Jun 24th 2009, 21:33

Swimming acrossa 20mile Channel at 90 degrees, with no current, he swims 20 miles. He uses energy E during the time T.

When swiming the same 20 mile channel and an existing current sweeps him down the channnel 15 miles, then the GPS ( with respect to the ground, not with respect to the water) would show that he travelled 25 miles but in fact he uses the same energy as before E and also time T as the energy provided to fall the 15 miles along the channel, was provided by the current. He only contributed energy to swim across.

If the man tries to swim straight across in a channel with a current, then he has to swim at an angle to make up for the current sweeping him down, and with respect to the water he covers 25 miles while with respect to the ground he covers 20 miles which is what the GPS would indicate. Thus if the swimmer does not let himself be swept with the current he uses much more energy and takes much more time, as he would be using a small component of his speed to oppose the current, cutting down his speed across the channel.

Carmel Pule'

Jun 24th 2009, 19:17

One has to first stay alive to make one’s dreams come true. An ENDUROPERSON already exists in everyperson I know, if only one recognises the right direction to look. We can help others in many ways without earning some fancy title .

Dear Nicky, I do not know you , try it again if you so wish, but at your age donot be dared into doing it through the excessive encouragement from others. If you do not wish to exert yourself beyond the limit and get hurt, I do not think any less of you, as you cannot predict external conditions. There are still so many ways in which you may help others, and in a manner where you shall not overstress yourself, you can.

“Do all the good that you can,
By all the means that you can,
In all the ways that you can,
In all the places that you can,
At all the times that you can,
To all the people that you can,
As long as you can”.
So Nicky, please you do not need to get hurt to help others, and by the way remember , you are already an ENDUROMAN in my eyes.

kevin zammit

Jun 23rd 2009, 21:27

Thanks Steve for that explanation ... sure needs a lot of planning! never actually realised so many variables come into play.

Isabelle Zarb

Jun 23rd 2009, 20:46

Nicky, be sure we share your heartache. However, we still admire what you've achieved so far...and knowing you I also know you will still do it one day. Keep up the determination...you're an inspiration to all

Gerry Said

Jun 23rd 2009, 20:14

It boggles the mind what well trained people are capable of doing. Pity things did not work out this time but I'm sure that with Nicky Farrugia's positive attitude he'll be back to succeed. I am still really impressed at the challenge of this monster triathlon.

Steve Haywood

Jun 23rd 2009, 13:50

Kevin. To answer your question: The second stage of the Enduroman Arch to Arc is to swim the English Channel. This involves starting clear of the water in Dover, until you touch land somewhere along the French coastline. The distance swum has nothing to do with it. It is impossible to swim in a straight line (21 nautical miles) between England and France due to the tides pushing the swimmer from the left or right. Swimmers end up swimming in a 'S' shape across the channel. When I became the 4th person to complete the Arch to Arc in 2007, my GPS recorded me swimming 26.8 in 16hours. Nicky decided to continue with the bike stage to honour his commitments to his sponsors and his charity. I have no doubt, that Nicky will return to attempt the challenge again in the future and I wish him a speedy recovery. Steve Haywood Enduroman

Mario Monreal

Jun 23rd 2009, 01:51

Soldier on Nicky, we know your worth & no matter what, know that you're admired & supported. Hope to get together again at some point in time.. (...no bikes this time :)) )

Kevin Zammit

Jun 22nd 2009, 23:44

Am I right in thinking that Nicky would have beaten the record holder's swimming time by a good 3 hours !!!

The distance is 20.5 miles and Nicky did 19.5 in 13 hours. The record holder took 17.5 so Nicky would have gained the hour he lost running and again two hours over the record holder. Am I missing something here?

Steve Haywood

Jun 22nd 2009, 16:58

When Nicky arrives in Paris, Enduroman will of course recognise that he completed the run and bike stages. Unfortunately, the swim was unsuccessful, so Nicky will not have Enduroman status or his challenge be recognised as a successful attempt, regardless of how far he swam in the channel.

There are many factors you have to overcome when swimming the channel. The tides, weather, distance and the cold are some of these.

Enduroman wish Nicky the very best of luck with the bike stage into Paris. He set off from Calais at 12.30pm so he should arrive some time early tomorrow morning.

Steve Haywood
Enduroman

George

Jun 22nd 2009, 15:23

Keep it up marte, dont be discouraged

Good Luck

George